Helping people choose to live

Today is World Suicide Prevention Day :

The World Suicide Prevention Day on September 10 is an annual event where many communities across the world use this day to draw attention to the tragic loss of life due to suicide while encouraging everyone to use this occasion to make a difference in their community. This year the theme for World Suicide Prevention Day is “Think Globally, Plan Nationally, Act Locally”.

This phrase, first used to save the environment, can be equally applied to suicide prevention:

To develop global awareness of suicide as a major preventable cause of premature death, - To describe the political leadership and policy frameworks for suicide prevention provided by national suicide prevention strategies, - And to highlight the many practical prevention programs that translate policy statements and research outcomes into activities at local, community levels.

The reality

According to WHO global statistics one person commits suicide every 40 seconds (16 per 100,000 population). The projected global suicide rate for year 2020 is one in every 20 seconds. Suicide is now among the three leading causes of death among those aged 15-44 years. More males commit suicide while more females attempt.

Whilst suicide is rapidly increasing around the world, delightfully in our small country the suicide rate has greatly reduced from an alarmingly high rate of 47 per 100,000 population in 1995 to a rate of 22 (police statistics 2006).

Although this reduction gives reason to be pleased the rate is still high, and yet more disturbing is the number of attempts which is 10 times more and steadily on the rise. Death by suicide is more common in the rural areas where agricultural chemicals are readily available, despite great attempts made with respect to use of less toxic chemicals and safe storage.

This brings our focus to the ever-present causes of suicide and the need to be aware, more attentive and concerned about those who may have suicidal feelings.

Why do people end their lives?

Suicide is a complex problem for which there is no single cause or reason.

It results from a complex interaction of biological, psychological, social, cultural and environmental factors. Mental illness, poverty, substance abuse, social isolation, losses, relationship difficulties and workplace problems are some of the underlying concerns associated with suicide.

Suicide has no racial or class distinctions. Inability to cope with difficult situations in life is one of the main reasons for suicide where loneliness, depression, anxiety, hopelessness and a host of negative emotions could ultimately lead to ending one’s own life.

Suicide happens when pain exceed the resources for coping with pain.

As human beings suicidal feelings come to a great number of people when faced with deeply stressful and heartbreakingly disappointing situations.

For most people suicidal thoughts remain as just thoughts, but others try to put them into action when they feel they have no one, nowhere to turn to who is close enough or anyone they trust to help them through their problems.

For these people, death may seem like the only option.

IT IS NOT. They need help. These feelings do not last forever.

Deeply shocking

The thought that a loved one had deliberately decided to end their life is deeply shocking and devastating for the family and friends. Yet more shocking is the revelation that those who survive an attempt say that they really don’t want to die, they want the pain to end. It is a desire to stop living with the painful situations they are faced with rather than a wish to die.

What we need to remember is that some people are able to cope, their capacity to cope is different, they have a lot of strengths and support, while others may find it very hard to cope, lack of support and do not see alternatives to their debilitating troubles. These people need a caring and understanding, trusted person to whom they could talk about their difficulties and feelings. Someone who would not judge or condemn, criticise or belittle.

Let them Talk while you Listen

A person who is suicidal feels isolated and alone with his or her problem.

At times like this talking about their stressful situation with a non-judgemental, accepting, understanding and caring person can throw a different light on the situation and help diffuse the suicidal impulse.

They don’t want to be alone. Rejection can make the problem seem ten times worse. Having someone to turn to make all the difference. They don’t want to be advised. Lectures don’t help. Nor does a suggestion to ‘cheer up’, or an easy assurance that ‘everything will be okay.’ Don’t analyse, compare, categorise or criticise.

Talking about feelings is difficult. People who feel suicidal don’t want to be rushed or put on the defensive. Befriending is the offering of friendship, the giving of one’s undivided benevolent attention to another at a time when he/she is feeling deeply troubled, thereby setting in motion a cathartic process.

Suicide prevention begins at home.

Suicide prevention is everyone’s responsibility.

People who are suicidal need help.

You can be in the position to make sure they get the help that they need.

When you find someone in need - YOUR help can make a LIFE SAVING difference!

Everyone needs love and care. Where else but one’s home can there be a perfect atmosphere of love and care, respect and concern for one another? Leaning to respect each other’s needs, feelings and difficulties within the home environment would greatly reduce the risk of suicidal behaviour.

Cultivating a sharing and caring nature would also contribute to improve one’s coping skills while having the necessary support systems to face the challenges of life. If external factors are a cause for concern strong interpersonal relationships within the home would definitely be an immense support to anyone in distress.

Likewise, everyone can do something to help reduce the number of people who try to solve their problems with suicidal behaviour. Just talking to a troubled friend may help to prevent him/her from taking the suicidal way out of a problem.

Public awareness

The World Suicide Prevention Day aims at increasing awareness of suicide as a major social concern that is largely preventable. There is still some reluctance among people to talk about suicide and suicidal behaviour openly.

One of the most common myths about suicide is that people who talk about killing themselves never actually do it, and that they are simply trying to get attention. In fact 70 per cent of people have talked about it, have given definite warning signs about their suicidal intentions.

Suicidal behaviours encompass a broad range of acts; suicide attempts, suicide gestures, suicide threats and suicidal thoughts.

A suicide attempt is an intentional act, causing self-harm, where death would have occurred without direct intervention.

A suicide gesture is an intentional act suggesting a cry for help by causing physical self-harm or intending to cause physical self-harm. Suicidal gestures would result in death if left unattended.

Suicide Warning Signs

Suicide risk is greater when there is:

Recent loss or break-up of a close relationship

Current or anticipated unhappy change in health; eg. painful or disabling illness

Alcohol or other drug abuse

Mental Illness; eg. manic depression, schizophrenia etc.

History of suicide in the family

Previous suicide attempts

People often show suicidal feelings by:

Being withdrawn and unable to relate to others

Having definite ideas on how to commit suicide

Talking about feeling isolated and lonely

Expressing feelings of failure, uselessness, lack of hope or lack of self esteem

Constantly dwelling on problems for which there seem to be no solutions.

(Courtesy Sri Lanka Sumithrayo, which has 11 centres around the island to help those who feel suicidal or are otherwise distressed or depressed)